Liquid dispenser



L. E. ILER LIQUID DISPENSER Jan. 5, 1937.

Filed April 27. 1935 ATT RN K Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Application April 27,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a liquid dispenser and more particularly to aportable dispenser adapted for domestic use.

One object of the invention is to provide a dispenser from which theliquid will be dispensed by air pressure and which will be of such acharacter that carbonated beverages, beer and the like, can be kepttherein for a substantial period of time without deteriorating orbecoming fiat.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser inwhich the dispensing elements and the closure for the container arepermanently attached one to the other and may be secured to and removedfrom the container as a unit. v

A further object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser inwhich the valve controlled discharge conduit will be so controlled as toprevent liquid dripping from the same after the valve has been closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser whichwill be simple in construction and operation and can be produced at alow cost. 7

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described indetail.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view of a liquid dispenserembodying my invention, with the container partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section taken vertically through the container and showingthe dispensing apparatus in elevation, the container being partly brokenaway; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the dispensingapparatus on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention andhave shown the same as applied to a dispensing apparatus comprising acontainer 5 which may be similar in size and shape to an ordinary jugbut which has at its upper end a relatively large filling openingsurrounded by a neck 6. The filling opening is closed'by a suitableclosure on which are mounted and air pump for delivering air underpressure to the container and a valve controlled discharge conduit. Theair pump and the discharge conduit are permanently attached to theclosure, that is, so connected therewith that they need not be removedin the ordinary use of the apparatus, and the closure and its connectedparts may be attached to and removed from the container as a unit. Theclosure and its connected parts are secured to the container by a simpleclamping device of such a character that the closure must be properlypositioned on the neck of the container before it can be securedthereto, thus making it certain that the filling opening 1935, SerialNo. 18,678

will be properly sealed when the closure is placed in position.

In the particular construction here shown the closure comprises a plate1 preferably in the form of a casting which has an annular centralportion 8 and a laterally extending annular portion 9 spaced from thelower surface of the part 8 and adapted to overhang and to be supportedby the upper edge of the container neck 6. A suitable sealing element,such as a rubber gasket I0, is interposed between the part 9 of theclosure plate and the neck of the container. Preferably the lowersurface of the part 9 of the closure plate is provided with one or morecircumferential ribs H which will be pressed into the rubber gasket andeffectually prevent the passage of air between the gasket and theclosure plate. The gasket is of a width somewhat greater than thethickness of the wall of the neck 6 and the upper edge of this wall willbe pressed into the gasket to effect a perfect seal between these parts.

The air pump may be of any suitable character and may be. connected withthe interior of the container in any suitable manner. I prefer to employthe construction here illustrated in which the closure plate is providedwith a vertical passageway l2 which extends into a boss [3 formedintegral with the closure plate. The upper end of the passageway I2 isclosed and the boss is provided in the outer side thereof with anopening communicating with the passageway l2 and in which is mounted oneend of a tubular fitting 14 which extends laterally from the boss andhas mounted thereon a soft rubber bulb l5, the outer end of which isprovided with an air inlet in which is mounted a check valve Hi. Thelower end of the passageway l2 opens into the container and is providedwith a suitable check valve to prevent the outward flow of air. In thepresent construction a tubular fitting l1 has one end mounted-in thepassageway and a soft rubber check valve is mounted on the lower portionof this fitting. This check valve comprises a cylindrical section l8 ofsoft rubberwhich fits snugly about the end of the fitting and has at itsinner end parallel flat faced portions I9 which are held normally incontact one with the other by the resiliency of the rubber but whichwill separate under pressure of air from the air pump to permit the airto enter the container.

The closure plate I is also provided with a second vertically arrangedpassageway 20, the outer portion of which is formed in a second boss 2|also cast integral with the closure plate. The inner end of thispassageway 20 is of greater diameter than the outer portion thereof toprovide a shoulder 22 which constitutes a valve seat. A tube 23 ismounted in the larger inner portion of the passageway and extendsdownwardly to a point near the bottom of the container. A dischargespout 24 is mounted in the outer side of the boss 2| and communicateswith the passageway 20 on the outer side of the valve seat 22. A valvemember 25 is mounted in the larger portion of the passageway 20 andcooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of liquid through thepassageway. A stem 26 is connected with the valve member 25 and extendsinto and is slidably mounted in an opening in the boss 2| in axialalinement with the valve seat. The stem is provided on its outer endwith a head 2'! which forms a thumb piece by means of which the valvemember may be depressed to open the passageway. A spring 28 is coiledabout the outer portion of the stem 26 and confined between the head 21and the top of the boss to hold the valve normally in its closedposition. The tube 23, passageway 20 and spout 24 constitute thedischarge conduit and when the valve 25 is open the pressure of the airon the liquid within the container will force the liquid out throughthis discharge conduit so long as the valve is held open.

As soon as pressure on the valve is released the spring 28 will closethe same but when this closure takes place a small amount of liquid willbe trapped in the passageway above the valve and in the spout 24 whichwill drip from the spout in an objectionable manner. To prevent thisdrippage I have provided means for sealing the opening in the boss 2|through which the valve stem 26 extends and thus preventing the trappedliquid from flowing through the spout. As here shown, a short section ofsoft rubber tubing 29 is arranged about the spring 28 and stem 26between the head 21 and the boss and is of such length that it will beconfined between the head and the boss under pressure sufiicient tocause the ends of the tube to have sealing contact with the boss and thehead, thus efiectually preventing any air passing through the openingabout the stem. When the head 21 is depressed to open the valve therubber tubing will yield or buckle to permit of the movement of thevalve stem. Preferably the spout 24 is of a capacity less than thecapacity of the tube 23 so as to cause a certain agitation of the liquidas it passes through a delivery conduit, which is particularly desirablein dispensing beer. This difference in capacity may be secured byproviding the spout with a restricted passageway and, in the presentinstance, the spout is restricted throughout its length, it having aninterior diameter substangially less than the interior diameter of thetube The closure and its attached dispensing elements may be rigidlysecured to the container in any suitable manner which will cause theconnection to be effectively sealed. I prefer to employ a clampingdevice which is easily operated and is of such a character that itcannot be moved to locking position unless the closure is properlypositioned on the neck of the container. In the present construction,the bosses l3 and 2| are both on the same side of a diametrical lineextending across the closure and on the other side of this line a camlug 30 is formed integral with the closure plate and has its upper edgeinclined upwardly from a point near the edge of the closure plate to apoint near the center of the plate where it is provided with a shallowrecess 3|. A bail 32 is pivotally mounted on the container on oppositesides of the neck and, as here shown. the arms of the container areprovided with hook-shaped portions 33 which engage apertured ears 34 onthe neck of the container. A transverse portion 35 of the ball isarranged to engage the inclined edge of the lug 30 and to be forced overthat edge into the recess 3|, the transverse portion of the bail beingslightly yieldable to permit it to ride into the recess and when seatedtherein to press the closure firmly against the gasket ID. Thisyieldable bail also serves as a safety device, as excessive pressurewithin the container will force the closure up- War-dly against theaction of the bail, thus breaking the seal and releasing the pressurebefore it becomes sufiicient to burst the container.

The dispensing apparatus is very simple in its construction. The closureplate comprises a simple casting and the other parts are simple inconstruction and the arrangement is such that they may be readilyassembled, thus enabling the device to be manufactured at a low cost.The unitary character of the apparatus enables it to be removed as aunit from the container, when the latter is to be filled and thenrestored and secured in tightly sealed position thereon by the bail 35.If the closure is not properly seated on the neck of the container thebail either cannot be moved into engagement with the recess 3| or itwill not have locking engagement therewith sufficient to retain theclosure in place. Any suitable carrying handle may be provided but, inthe present instance, I have shown a U-shaped handle 36, the arms ofwhich are pivotally mounted on the transverse portion 35 of the bail sothat'the weight of the container is supported by the ears 34 and not bythe closure.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wishit to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsthereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in theart.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a portable liquid dispenser comprising a container having afilling opening at the top thereof, a closure for said opening, meansfor rigidly securing said closure to said container and for sealing theconnection between said closure and said container, said closure havinga passageway through the same, an air pump mounted on the outer side ofsaid closure and connected with said passageway, a check valve for saidpassageway, said closure also having a second passageway, a tubeconnected with the inner end of said second passageway and extendingdownwardly in said container, a spout connected with the outer end ofsaid second passageway and extending laterally therefrom, said closurehaving a valve seat in said second passageway and an opening in linewith said valve seat, an inwardly opening valve member to engage saidvalve seat, a stem connected with said valve member and extendingthrough said opening in said closure, a head on the outer end of saidstem, a spring mounted about said stem and engaging said head to holdsaid valve member on said seat, a soft rubber tube arranged about saidstem and said spring and having its ends in sealing engagement with saidhead and said closure.

2. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a closure for a container, meansfor delivering air under pressure to said container, said closure havingan outlet passageway extending partially through the same and an openingin line with said passageway, said passageway having a valve seat, a

tube connected with said passageway on the inner side of said valveseat, a spout connected with said passageway on the outer-side of saidvalve seat, a valve member to cooperate with said seat, a stem connectedwith said valve member and extending through said opening, a spring tohold said valve member on said seat, a head on the outer end of saidstem to move said valve member against the action of said spring, and ashort tube of resilient material arranged about said stem with its endsin sealing engagement with said head and said closure and adapted toyield when said head is depressed.

3. In a liquid dispenser comprising a container having at its upper enda neck forming a filling opening, a closure plate supported by saidneck, a sealing member interposed between said plate and said neck, aboss formed integral with said plate on the outer side thereof andhaving a passageway communicating with said container, an air pumpmounted on said boss and connected with said passageway, a check valvefor said passageway, a second boss formed integral with said plate andhaving a passageway communicating with said container, a tube connectedwith the inner end of the second passageway, a spout connected with theouter end of said second passageway, a valve mounted in said secondpassageway, means arranged above said plate to actuate said valve, bothbosses being arranged on the same side of a diametrical line extendingacross said plate, a cam lug formed integral with said plate on theother side of said diametrical line and having its upper edge inclinedupwardly to a point near the center of said plate, and a bail pivotallymounted on said container and having a resilient transverse portion toengage said lug and clamp said plate on the neck of said container.

4. In a liquid dispenser comprising a container having at its upper enda neck forming a filling opening, a closure plate supported by saidneck, a sealing member interposed between said plate and said neck, aboss formed integral with said plate on the outer side thereof andhaving a passageway communicating with said container, an air pumpmounted on said boss and connected with said passageway, a check valvefor said passageway, a second boss formed integral with said plate andhaving a passageway communicating with said container, a tube connectedwith the inner end of the second passageway, a spout connected with theouter end of said second passageway, a valve mounted in said secondpassageway, meansarranged above said plate to actuate said valve, bothbosses being arranged on the same side of a diametrical lineextendingacross said plate, a cam lug formed integral with said plate on theother side of said diametrical line and having its upper edge inclinedupwardly to a point near the center of said plate, a bail pivotallymounted on said container and having a resilient transverse portion toengage said lug and clamp said plate on the neck of said container, anda carrying handle pivotally connected with said bail.

5. In a portable dispensing apparatus, a container having a relativelylarge opening in the upper end thereof, means for closing said openingcomprising a plate supported on said container and a sealing elementbetween said plate and said container, means for securing said plate 7to said container and maintaining a normally sealed connection betweensaid plate and said container, said plate having a boss on the outerside thereof and a passageway extending through said plate and saidboss, a manually operated air pump carried by said plate and connectedwith said passageway, a check valve to prevent the outward flow of airthrough said passageway, said plate also having a second boss on theouter side thereof and a second passageway extending through said plateand said second boss, a tube connected with the inner end of said secondpassageways and extending into said container, a spout carried by saidplate and connected with the outer portion of said second passageway, anormally closed valve to prevent the passage of air or liquid to saidspout and normally maintain the liquid in said container under airpres-- sure, and a manually operated device supported on said plate foropening said valve.

6. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a container having at its upper enda neck forming a filling opening, a closure for said opening consistingof a plate arranged exteriorly of said neck and supported on the edgethereof and a sealing element interposed between said plate and saidneck, two conduits extending throughsaid plate and spaced laterally onefrom the other, an air pump carried by said plate and connected with oneof said conduits, a check valve in said conduit, a normally closed valvein the other conduit, an actuating device supported on the outer side ofsaid plate and connected with said valve, and a bail pivotally mountedon said container and adapted to act on said plate to secure the latterto said neck and maintain a normally sealed connection between saidplate and said neck.

7. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a container having at its upper enda neck forming a filling opening, a closure for said opening consistingof a plate arranged exteriorly of said neck and supported on the edgethereof and a sealing element interposed between said plate and saidneck, two conduits extending through said plate and spaced laterally onefrom the other, an air pump carried by said plate and connected with oneof said conduits, a check valve in said conduit, the other of saidconduits comprising a tube extending from said plate into saidcontainer, and a spout supported exteriorly of said plate and connectedwith said tube to form an outlet passageway, said passageway having arestricted portion to cause an agitation of the liquid as it isdischarged from said container, a normally closed valve interposedbetween said tube and said spout, an actuating device supported on theouter side of said plate and connected with said valve, and a bailpivotally mounted on said container and adapted to act on said plate tosecure the latter to said neck and maintain a normally sealed connectionbetween said plate and said neck.

8. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a closure for a container, meansfor delivering air under pressure to said container, a discharge conduitextending through said closure, a valve in said conduit, a valveactuating member slidably mounted in said closure, connected with saidvalve and having an enlarged portion spaced from said closure, and ashort tube of resilient material arranged about a portion of saidslidable member with its ends in sealing engagement with said closureand the enlarged portion of said slidable member and adapted to yieldwhen said member is pressed inwardly.

LAWRENCE E. ILER.

